It seems as if some recent media here showed a proud vocal supporter of halal turkeys in America. The presenter suggested non halal slaughter was full of non compliant methods, rolled in feces etc, in other words, not very healthy, and he would rather have halal. I dont know of the American health laws regarding this, although I would automatically assume they would be similar to ours. So to Australia. My research to date indicates a muslim slaughter-man has to undertake a two week course under the control of relevant islamic council, has to be of sound mind and body and of course a proven good muslim. He also has to comply with processors health and hygiene requirements: All Slaughter men must comply with all health and hygiene requirements as detailed in the establishment’s induction program, quality system or other relevant programs in place. All Slaughter men will comply with all Occupational Health and safety program requirements or practices as detailed in the establishment’s induction program or Occupational Health and Safety program. Processors are guided by and cooperate with: Australian standard for the hygienic production and transport of meat and meat products for human consumption. As the title suggests, the main objective of the standard is to ensure food safety, however, it also includes an animal welfare component. Recognising the importance of animal welfare at processing, the Australian meat industry has gone a step further and developed its own National animal welfare standards for livestock processing establishments. By incorporating these standards into their quality assurance program (and standard operating procedures), abattoirs are able to demonstrate (to the state meat authority) that they meet regulatory requirements as well as good practice in terms of animal care and welfare. So all health and hygiene controls are set by Australian Law, and are bound in Approved Arrangements and agreed practices. So what are the specialised skills the muslim slaughter-man is trained in? I cannot believe a two week or even a two month training program would allow this otherwise semi - skilled worker, the knowledge or ability to diagnose illness or other debilitating conditions a vet may see. There may well be a well known set of visual clues a muslim may find haram, skin conditions, obvious damage to internal organs, parasites etc, but so to would ANY competent slaughter-man. The difference is we get this haram meat, already blessed to islamic use, if it actually is fit for human consumption. And of course, the successful halal meat is passed through the plant. So health wise, there is by Australian law, no difference in the quality or fitness for consumption between approved or non approved meat. It is beyond belief to suggest otherwise. It is faith only in an archaic, barbaric religious code designed 1400 years ago..So much for science.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 03:54:58 +0000
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